The new modelling is glad BMW to 3rd series (a factory index of body )E36) has appeared at the very end of 1990 and, it is necessary to tell, in time: potential buyers had not time to be disappointed in production of the Bavarian concern. All advantages inherent in the predecessor (E30), have remained and even were increased in new family. Bright characteristic appearance underlines power and dynamics of corporate style BMW. Irreproachable assembly of a body (by the way, with a six-year guarantee from through corrosion), increased by 10 l in comparison with the predecessor interior and luggage compartment volume, as well as an informative metre panel, high-quality materials of furnish of an interior, a wide spectrum inline petrol power units (with injection Bosh-Motronic): "4" - 31й (102 h.p.), 318i (115h.p.) and "6" 320i (140 h.p.) and 325is (192 h.p.) - All it, as well as magnificent roadability (hardly probable it is not better, than at front-wheel models), inherent in models BMW, were successfully combined in 3rd series that has received a due estimation at consumers.

Any time the cabriolet and the versatile person remained from an old lineup. A four-door sedan of a new E36 series successfully altered and in addition to complete a'la M3 set of the German tuning companies. But in half of cases these tuning "3", bought both in other earths of Germany, and across all Europe, and also in the USA, got to unripe drivers-youths. Maintained them, unscrewing and without that slackened forcing engines to a ring, not to mention a defiance procedural visiting of service.

In a youth very few people reflects on that, how many it is possible to save on expenses at competent operation... Therefore experts also do not recommend to take "from hands" the tuning cars dressed in an armour and attributes port-karov: spoilers, rear wings, plastic skirts with the rigid absorbers "clamped" in a sports way forced by means of additional turbines by engines, collectors of changeable geometry and other corresponding body tuning.

Since October, 1991 sale economic has begun, but a quick turbodiesel variant 325td (8,9 l/100 of km in a city cycle) that marked the beginning of new attack to market sector in which company BMW started to lose the points earned in the late eighties already.

Only in January of 1992 have been presented 2 dooors E36 coupe 320i, 325i and M3, and in September of their same year have equipped with new engines with steered phases of a gas distribution. M3 somehow dealers have very quickly untwisted in advertising, therefore it is better to refrain from purchase of model till 1994. This car with the developed thresholds and bumpers sometimes, as well as tuning versions, maintained incorrectly. Frequently, yet knock the engine, it did not show in firm service that it is absolutely necessary to do with such cars charged on sports manners. By the way, on M3 put also system SMG (mechanical 6-step gearbox with a hydraulic gear shift that allowed to go both by the automatic machine, and with manual switching without a clutch pedal).

Purchase of tuning versions E36 from the well-known company Alpina in general needs to be made only in the presence of the highly skilled expert. Only it can state an objective estimation to a condition and degree of deterioration of a suspender, the engine and a gear box.

The cabriolet of a new lineup has replaced old model only in March, 1993. As an option to it offer easily removable aluminium top.

Occurrence new 143-strong a high turn turbodiesel (the maximum speed to 214 km/h at sedans), for the first time air equipped with an intermediate cooler it was necessary for October, 1993. Since the winter 1994/95 years, besides sedans and coupes, have appeared three-door hatchbacks Compact with economic engines a working volume of 1,6 l (102 h.p.), 1,7 l (a turbodiesel, 90 h.p.), 1,8 l (115 h.p.) and 1,9-litre 140-strong with 16-klapannoj a cylinder block head. For price reduction by it behind instead of a difficult multilever suspender as other models of family, have a simple axle suspension with not cutting axle beam. Five-seater Compact (on a firm plan, the youth and student version) practical enough car for those who is not anxious by transportation of things by own forces: useful volume of a luggage compartment from 300 to 1030 l.

In January of 1995 there was a model E36 328i with the newest aluminium lineup "six" (for the market of the USA have kept old with the pig-iron block, capacity of 93 h.p.), replaced "325i" that has strengthened positions BMW in sector of economic sports models.

The long-awaited versatile person under the traditional name Touring, year absent in the production program, has been presented in May of 1995 when the premiere of model 323i with the six-cylinder 170-strong engine, quickly taking off and giving out one hundred all for 8 with, and also even more quick "328i" (193 h.p. has taken place). Capacity for the E36 compact versatile person is not the most important thing, image is more important. Capacity of its luggage compartment has appeared only 1030 l. It is indicative that for "3" models actually not a parity the price/quality, and more raised - the price/capacity. As for quality BMW answers, and behind capacity business will not rise, if the buyer behind the price does not stand. The firm has developed for the Russian market even a special Russian package: the ground clearance increased by 25 mm, softer suspender and the adapted ignition system. 16-inch low-profile tyres are applied to indemnification of the raised withdrawal of a body (because of lifting of the centre of gravity of the car).